Research conducted for Housemark’s latest report, ‘Beyond the Hype: What AI Adoption Really Looks Like in Social Housing’, found that while 59% of respondents said all or most staff have access to AI tools, only 14% reported that more than half of staff use AI regularly.

The findings suggest that providing access to AI tools is only part of the challenge. Thirty-eight per cent of respondents said AI use depends largely on individual teams, while a further 23% described adoption as informal and lacking clear guidance.

Based on 66 responses from a broad mix of housing associations, local authorities and ALMOs, the research suggests many housing providers are still developing the structures needed to support wider AI adoption.

While access to AI tools is becoming increasingly common, only seven respondents (11%) reported having a formal AI strategy in place. A further 27 respondents are currently developing a strategy, while 15 are planning one, suggesting many organisations are still establishing the foundations needed to support wider adoption.

The research suggests there is a gap between access to AI tools and their consistent use across organisations. Many providers appear to be moving beyond initial experimentation, but are still developing the structures, strategies and guidance needed to support wider adoption.

John Wickenden, research manager at Housemark, said: “One of the clearest messages from this research is that access does not automatically lead to adoption. Many housing providers have taken the important first step of making AI tools available, but meaningful value is only realised when colleagues are confident using them and understand how they fit into their day-to-day roles.

“The organisations seeing the most consistent adoption are often focusing on people, capability and training alongside technology. Creating the right conditions for AI to be used confidently, responsibly and consistently across an organisation is just as important as providing access to the tools themselves.”

The research examines how organisations are using AI in practice, where providers are seeing benefits and the barriers preventing wider adoption. The report also explores organisational readiness, governance and the steps organisations are taking to move from experimentation towards measurable organisational impact.